Railway signal torpedo



' Dec. 8, 1925. 1,565,067

F. DUTCHER RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO Filed July 22. 1925 2' Sheets-Sheet 1 F. DUTCHER Filed July 22; 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED STATES FRANK DUTCHEE, VERSAILLES, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO.

Application filed July 22, 1925.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK DUTCI-IER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Versailles, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Railway Signal Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in railroad signal torpedoes, especially adapted to be secured to the rail of a track.

One object of the invention is to construct the torpedo so that the rail fastening means can be locked rigidly in position in a plane with the base of the torpedo so that the torpedo can be readily packed in a comparatively small space.

A. further object of the invention is to design the arms of the fastening device so that they can be coupled together, and, when so coupled, they will spring the cross member of the device, causing it to retain its position in the body of the torpedo, but, when the arms are free, the fastening device can turn readily to engage a rail.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved torpedo with the arms locked;

Fig. 2 is an inverted perspective view of the torpedo shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view;

Fig. l is a sectional plan View on the line &4:, Fig. 3, showing the arms in engagement and the cross member curved;

Fig. 5 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing the arms disengaged and the cross member straight;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the torpedo;

Fig. 7 is a view showing the torpedo attached to a rail, the rail being in section;

Fig. 8 is a detached perspective view of the body of the torpedo;

Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the method of applying the torpedo and its casing to the base; and

Fig. 10 is a detached perspective view illustrating a modification of the invention.

The base 1 of the torpedo is made of two parts formed of sheet metal. The part 2 has a depression pressed therein, which forms a recess 3. The sides of the recess are curved. The recess is wider at the center than at the ends, as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 5. At the ends of the part 2 are ears 4., which are bent over the part 5 of the base Serial No. 45,323.

and over the wrapping of the torpedo tablet, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. The part 5 has side flanges 6, which are bent over the part 2, and enclose the recess formed by the depression 3.

The fastening device 7 is a wire, bent as shown in Fig. 5, and having a cross member 8, which is located in the recess 3, and arms 9-9. The device has shoulders 1010 at each end of the cross member and each arm terminates in a hook 11. The hooks are formed so that they can be coupled together, as in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, and, when so coupled, the arms are on a plane with the base 1 of the torpedo, and the cross member is sprung, as in Fig. 3, and rests against one of the curved wails of the recess 3, looking the fastening device to the base, and preventing its free movement.

This construction allows torpedoes to be packed in a small space and prevents the fastening devices becoming entangled in a flagmans kit.

hen it is desired to use a torpedo, the arms are unhooked, which allows the fastening device to turn freely in the base so that it can be readily attached to a rail, as illustrated in Fig. 7 the hooks 11 extending under the head of the rail, as shown.

The explosive tablet 12 of the torpedo can be of any form desired and is wrapped within a water-proof paper casing 13. The ends 1 lof the casing are bent under the base 1 and the ears 4 of the part 2 of the base. are turned onto the ends 14 of the casing, firmly holding the torpedo to the base.

In some instances, the flanges 66 can be omitted from the part 5 of the base. Ears 6 can be cut from the body of the part 5", Fig. 10, and bent at right angles. The part 2 is slotted at 15 to receive the ears 6 which are bent over the part 9%, holding the two parts firmly together.

A torpedo made in accordance with my invention can be readily packed, as hereinbefore stated, and does not become entangled in the brakernans kit, and can be readily hung from a support. It can be applied quickly to a rail. As the metal parts are located below the explosive tablet, there is no danger. of fragments of metal flying when the torpedo is discharged.

I claim:

1. The combination in a railway signal torpedo, of a base; an explosive tablet secured to said base; a fastening device er:-

tending through the base and means for locking the fastening device to the base when the ends of the fastening device are connected.

2. The combination in a railway signal torpedo, ot a base enclosing a recess; and a fastening device having a cross member extending throngh the recess and having arms provided with hooks, the cross member being bent when the arms are connected, thereby holding the fastening device on a plane with the base.

The combination in a railway signal torpedo, of a base made in two parts, one of said parts having a depression forming a recess. the recess being wider at the center than at the ends: and a tastening device having; a cross member located in the recess and having hooked arms. whicln when connected, cause the cross member to be bent out ot a straight line, thereby looking the fastening device on a plane with the base.

4-. The combination in a railway signal torpedo, of a base made in two parts, each part having means for attaching them together, one part having a recess therein, the walls of the recess being curved; and a fastening device having a cross member extending through the recess and having hooked arms, the cross member being bent to conform to the curve of one of the walls of the recess, when the hooks of the arms are connected.

5. The combination in a railway signal torpedo, of a base made of two metallic parts having ears; a fastening device pivotally mounted in the base and arranged to engage a rail; an explosive tablet; and a casing enclosing: the tablet. said casing havinn," ends extendingunder the base, the ears on the base extending under the ends of the casing, thereby holding the tablet and its casing to the base.

FRANK BUTCHER. 

